Monochrome Archives - Oliver Wood Photography

Hale Cold War Relic

Four Minute Warning

It’s still there! Had another day cycling around my old home turf of Hale and noticed that this once ominous relic of the cold war is still in place. This is the the siren that would have given the residents of Hale village the “four minute warning” so we could all scuttle into our makeshift (useless) home-made “Protect and Survive” shelters as megatons of nuclear firepower burst over the city and the nearby airport!

I vividly remember the chilling sound of this very siren being tested and creating a hellish drone beating with our local siren on the roof of the Unicorn (pub) hotel in Hale Barns; a mile up the road. The siren was originally hooked up to a nearby telephone pole and was activated by a special signal sent over the telephone network. This, at the time, secret civil defence system hidden in plain sight was known as HANDEL, the switching circuit in that box on the pole was constantly listening to the speaking clock until this special signal came along to activate the siren and warn us that the unthinkable was actually underway and the end of our technological civilisation and the lives of millions was suddenly a horrible reality — The sight of this thing dose bring back a lot of memories of my youthful anxiety about nuclear war.

Aperture: ƒ/11
Taken: 29 August, 2019
Focal length: 50mm
ISO: 100
Shutter speed: 1/125s

If you are interested in reading more about this intriguing subject or just want to indulge technical geekery with a dose of miserabalism then you may find some of the links below interesting: –

My own piece on the “Backbone” tower at Sutton Common: BT Tower, Sutton Common

A detailed explanation of the HANDEL warning network: British Nuclear Warning System

UK cold war plans & exercises: Struggle for Survival

All Saints – Siddington

A few heavily treated images of All Saints church in Siddington, Cheshire; seen whilst cycling down to Jodrell Bank. Some of these images have added texture layers. The building is grade 2 listed and was subjected to substantial restorations between 1853 / 1895. The surrounding area is some of the most pleasant lowland rural land in Cheshire characterised by gently rolling hills and winding lanes lined with high hedgerows – a little similar to Dorset. The parish of all saints also includes the magnificent Capesthorne Hall Tudor estate, one of Cheshire’s prime NT treasures.

Aperture: ƒ/8
Taken: 22 May, 2019
Focal length: 13mm
ISO: 100
Shutter speed: 1/125s

Alderley Edge Observations

A curious wooden bus shelter in Alderley Edge with paper textures. Had a few very enjoyable days out cycling over to the west side, the equally ‘posh’ and rarefied side of Cheshire; but my intention is often to look for things that rarely get photographed – in these parts at least. These are just a few pictures from a trip to Alderley on the 13th May, I have many more including plenty of stuff in colour but today (16th) I also continued on to Jodrell Bank in preparation for my trips down to the Blue Dot festival and got many more pictures that are, for me, essential studies of the locality.

Aperture: ƒ/8
Taken: 13 May, 2019
Focal length: 10mm
ISO: 100
Shutter speed: 1/250s

Remains – Ford House

The remains of the old Ford House in Prestbury, Cheshire. I liked the shapes, texture and tonality in this image and I think there is always something quite intriguing about the exposure of the interior of old buildings in this way. Ford House has since been replaced by a three story block of a flats that authentically recreates the architectural style of the original. Sadly, old Ford House succumbed to several years of neglect and was ultimately declared to be unsafe.

More about Ford House Pictorial Chronology | Historic View

Aperture: ƒ/4.5
Taken: 13 April, 2016
Focal length: 70mm
ISO: 100
Shutter speed: 1/125s

M6 Motorway – Plumley

The M6 at Plumley, the oldest motorway in Cheshire and the main route south. The motorway at this location has only just recently been widened to four lanes in each direction. This time last year work had only just begun on the project and there were many hold ups and delays here.

The pylons on the right may be the main supply for the town of Altrincham and surrounding areas as they terminate in a large substation near Broadheath. The line may be tagged on to the very old but recently upgraded Carrington power station and is likely to pre-date the motorway.

Aperture: ƒ/5.6
Taken: 14 February, 2019
Focal length: 20mm
ISO: 100
Shutter speed: 1/250s

Derbyshire Farmstead

Interesting line and flow (as I say – or making up terminology) a view of the Derbyshire landscape seen on a long bike ride from Castleton to Macclesfield. The image has been treated with various texture layers to flatten dynamics and create a papery ‘look’ which I quite like.

Aperture: ƒ/5.6
Taken: 17 May, 2018
Focal length: 20mm
ISO: 100
Shutter speed: 1/250s

Four Minute Warning

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Hale Cold War Relic

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